Aviation Safety Inspector Principal Maintenance Inspector (Principal Maintenance Inspector)

Aviation Safety Inspector Principal Maintenance Inspector (Principal Maintenance Inspector)

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Belleville, Michigan, Greensboro, North Carolina, Clermontville, Ohio

Salary Range: $106382 - $138296 Per Year

Job Summary: The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) is responsible for recommending new and amended Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to air carrier maintenance safety issues.

Major Duties:

• The PMI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or fuctions. The PMI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. The PMI provides policy assistance to regional and field level Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. The work is normally accepted without change. Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled. Some FG-14 assignments involve region wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft. Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft. Other FG-14 inspectors establish technical procedures and performance yardsticks and review complete maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity and the organizations monitored are major factors in the industry. ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations. Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity. FG-14 employees evaluate flight operations programs for organizations which utilize complex aircraft, systems, and equipment. Because of organizational complexity or the advanced technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, employees must exercise originality to resolve unique problems. They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines. Supervisors give GS-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation and maintenance. Because of the precedent-setting nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy- setting level. The PMI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives. He or she defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments as necessary to address organizational needs. Decisions typically have broad impact on the operation or maintenance of a particular type of advanced aircraft, major air carriers, or a geographic area containing a variety of novel and/or complex aviation operations. Decisions also have a significant effect on the safety of the flying public. FG-14 employees have critically important and frequently controversial contacts with key officials of major manufacturers, major carriers, and general aviation organizations. Contacts are made to resolve issues which affect the initial certification and major modifications of aircraft, maintenance programs, and their effect on safety and compliance with regulations. The PMI provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique problems, with the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Develop plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues. Works with management to solve problems.

Qualifications: Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for an Aviation Safety Inspector in the 1825 series as outlined in the OPM qualification standards. The minimum eligibility requirements for this position are below or may be found on the following link: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1800/aviation-safety-series-1825/ General Requirements for All Applicants: Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; Valid State driver's license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and High school diploma or equivalent. Medical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted); Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft. Applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector, Air Carrier Maintenance positions must meet all of the following requirements. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and systems of multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program. Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency. Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness. Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings. (Recency of specialized experience, and the need for a second-class medical certificate is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series) AND In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, applicants for the FG-14 level must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (FG/GS-13 or Pay Band I) in the normal line of progression. Examples of Specialized Experience include: Monitoring activities of organizations to determine whether they are following authorized programs and evaluating proposals to change programs. Planning and conducting inspections and surveillance of assigned areas of carrier maintenance operations to assure compliance with Federal aviation regulations. Principal contact with, and having responsibility for the certification, inspection, and surveillance of the maintenance operations of a group of aviation organizations. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. For Lateral Movements Between 1825 Specialties:https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/avs/offices/afx/tools/qat.htmlTo assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume. Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors found using this link

How to Apply: Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position. You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register. RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION. We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week. Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA. Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible. You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.

Application Deadline: 2026-02-09